The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-06-15
The BANKERS DAUGHTER.
BY NJ. j. ROY.


distance as if the house had been pedes-
trian, grown weary with tramping along
the dusty thoroughfare, and squatted at the
roadside In the shade OF that delightful
grove. Ii seemed only TO repose there for
the night and on the morrow II would take
up the march again and resume Its journey.
A youth stood at the creaky old gate,
resting one elbow upon it, while the palm
of his hand supported his sunburned chin.
He was young farmer, not over twenty
years of age, and as his dark gray eyes
wandered down the road a sigh escaped
his breast. Was he to live, grow up, grow
old and die on this little farm? Was he TO
wear through few years of such hum
drum life, and then pass away to be for
gotten or only remembered as a tiller of
the soil?
Many other ambitious youths have
sighed for freedom, and dreamed day
dreams of the glory of brilliant career,
have gone forth to seek fame and fortune,
and sighed far more bitterly for the little
country home and humdrum life they once
thought distasteiul than they ever did for
fame and glory. They made the discovery
when too late that the fame and glory
which they so ardently desired was not
worth the getting. But other youths will
sigh and dream, and hope for greatness,
as long as the heart has passions and as
long as life has woes.
Walter Russels eyes wandered down
the broad country road, just as they had
day after day ever since he could remem-
ber The road which lie had once thought
led to the end Of the world, was the same
old road it had been then. The dark old
forest on either side was just the same,
with the exception that be had explored its
depths, and there was less of the mystery
and awe about it than of yore. The giants,
fairies and COLLINS with which his infantile
imagination had peopled it were gone, and
with them all the pleasurable enchantment.
Come in, Walt; what are you standin
out there for?" called his mother.
Il am looking down the road, mother"
'"What dye see?"
Nothing; / hear the wheels of car
riagc."
ooh, it's some O. them hight flyers from
town." said Mrs. Russell, with just the least
bit of sarcasm, which did no credit to this
really gentle hearted woman.
Suddenly, there was a shrek from up
the road. 1t had grown too dark to dis
tinctly see objects, but from the rafting,
roaring sound of wheels and deafening
clatter of hoofs the young farmer knew that
the horses had become frightened and were
running away.
There was no time to call for assistance.
,pealed to his manhood, and Walter ran
with the speed of a reindeer up the road.
The corner of the cow-l lot was at the side
of the road, and tied to hickory tree was
a heavy rope which had been used as
swing. On the opposite side of the road
was another tree, and to seize this rope, fly
across the road, stretch il tight and tie it
hard and fast was but the work of a few
seconds.
In fact he had but few seconds in
which to act, for the team was coming
down with the speed of an express train.
No human hand could stay their onward,
headlong flight, and Walter had adopted
the only plan which could possibly save the
people in the carriage.
Having made the rope fast he flew to the
center of the road.
Like a mighty engine of destruction,
rolling amid whirling clouds of dust came
the carriage with redoubled fury at every
moment. The snorts of frightened horse,
.Sclatter of hoofs, roar of wheels, and shrieks
of inmates could be heard for miles on
that quiet night, and brought the entire
family out of the house.
The horses struck the rope like an ava
YIanche, and made the trees crack and bend,
but the rope held them. There was a
crashing rolling together, and screams of
terror and pain, all concealed by dense
cloud of dust.
Walter sprang forward and seized the
horses. His father, mother, and sisters
fastened to his aid. The frightened ami
mails were taken from the carriage and tied
to the trees, and then two ladies were lifted
from the carriage. Both were insensible,
and Waller and his father carried them
into the house.
One of them was lady about forty years
Il. Al. 81 - i
eighteen. Evidently they were mother and
daughter.
1t s Mrs. Norton, the bankers wife, and
GAL" cried Mrs. Russell the moment the
rays of the lamp fell on them.
Very tenderly Walter laid the slight,
golden haired girl upon the plain couch,
and stood gazing at the pale. sweet face.
Mrs Russell ran for her Scamp fire" bottle,
and, as neither OF the ladies was seriously
injured, they soon recovered and were able
to explain how the accident had occurred.
The driver had fallen from his seat on
account of one of the wheels Of the car
sria2e running into q rut, and the horses,
Eoecoming frightened, ran away. The
'coacbman, looking rather Illuminated, now
came mp, and, as the carriage was consid-
erably damaged ~ they were unable tc
re uIn TO the city that night, he was sent
ahead to ring out conveyance for then
next morning.
Walter wanted to go the city and lrins
out doctor, but Mrs. Norton declared
there was no need for him TO do so; boil
herself and daughter were getting along
very we'll, and neither was injured in th,
least 10y the runaway.
When the large blue eyes of Miss OILS
Norton fell upon the face OF the robus
young farmer, whose strong arm and cleal
brain had doubtless saved her life, thos,
,orbs of heavens own blue dropped. and {
faint blush mantled her face. Walter fel
i'll ut ease when Mrs. Norton thanked hin
for his noble services. Oh how hcmely
plain, and mean the old farmhouse looked
with such elegantly dressed ladies for thei
guests He retired from the room as sooi
sas possible. and passed sleepless night IL
sthe hay-loft.
Next morning the ladies were called 70
by & driver in another carriage. and tool
rthe n leave of the farmer, after thanking
himself and his wife for their kind hos
nj ality.